About
The character for "name", 名, is constructed from the components 夕, meaning evening or dusk, and 口, meaning mouth, a composition that reflects its original, literal sense of identifying oneself verbally in low light. This basic function of vocal identification to establish presence or identity naturally extended to encompass the concept of a reputational "name" or fame, as well as the designation for things, leading to its use in words meaning "term" or "noun". Its traditional form is identical to its simplified version, and while its core meaning has remained stable, its application broadened from a simple act of declaration into these more abstract and societal dimensions of reputation and linguistic classification.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的名字是李明。
请问你叫什么名字？
这座城市很有名。
我想报名参加比赛。
请查看参加者名单。
他以个人名义捐款。
我正在读一本名著。
尽管他不出名，但他的作品很有名。